Hanger-strap or handhold for cars, &amp;c.



PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908 J. RNEWTON, JR.

HANGER STRAP OR-HANDHOLD FOR GARS, 8w.

APPLICATION FILED 001228. 1907.

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PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

I J. F; NEWTON, JR. HANGER STRAP 0R HANDHOLD FOR CARS, &0.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-28. 1907.

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PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. NEWTON, JR, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

HANGER-STRAP OR HANDHOLD FOR CARS, &c.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application filed October 28,1907. Serial No. 399.493-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. NEWTON, Jr., a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk, State ofv Massachusetts,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Hanger-Straps orHandholds for Cars, &c., of which the fol lowing is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to hanger-straps or hand-holds on the order ofthose which in cars are provided for the benefit of standing passengers.

More particularly, the invention is an improvement in the hanger-strapor hand-hold of Letters Patent of the United States granted to me underdate of August 20, 1907, N 0. 863,935. The said hanger-strap or handholdthus patented to me has a smooth and non-absorbent surface throughoutthe upright side-portions and closed lower end or bight of the dependingloop thereof, and in the patent I have described and shown as one meansof furnishing the required surface a sheet metal facing applied to thesaid depending loop.

The object of the patented invention is to provide a hanger-strap orhandhold which shall have a surface that is non-absorbent and cleanly,and which shall be free from the objections to the ordinary unprotectedleather hanger-straps or hand-holds heretofore in use. These last soonbecome soiled and charged with perspiration and grease through contactwith the more or less unclean hands by which they are grasped. In theblackened and dirty, greasy, softened, and slippery state which theysoon assume they are not only offensive or repulsive to grasp, butprobably serve as vehicles for the transfer of infectious sores anddiseases, including such as may be communicated to the delicatemembranes of the eyes and other organs by ahand which has been incontact with an infected strap. The smooth nonabsorbent surface of mypatented hangerstrap or hand-hold readily keeps clean.

In practice, the hanger-strap or handhold of my Letters Patent aforesaidusually is furnished with a sheet-metal surfacing applied as shown inFigures 1 to 3 of the drawings of such patent, that is to say, entirelycovering the inner surface of the strap, with the marginal portions ofthe sheet-metal bent to inclose the opposite edges of the strap and toform flanges extending toward each other transversely in i front of theouter surface of the strap. The hanger-strap or hand-hold thusconstructed has the surface of the strap exposed between the flanges ofthe sheet-metal surfacing. In one process of manufacture the surfacingis taken in the shape of a straight flat strip of proper width andlength, and its longitudinally extending marginal portions are bentaround and turned inward suitably for re ceiving the strap. .The bentand flanged strip is then bent upon itself transversely into U-shape,with its free ends inclined toward each other and brought closetogether. The strap is applied by slipping the same endwise into placeunder the flanges. Drawbacks that are incident to this process ofmanufacture are the difficulty and loss which have been experienced inbending the surfacing stri into the required U-shape after theside-flanges have been formed, on account of the liability of theflanges to split or crack.

One object of the invention is to protect and cover or conceal the outersurface of the strap between the flanges, and to provide, when desired,for adding an ornamental finish to the exterior of the hanger-strap orhand-hold, or for the application of advertising matter, or the like, tothe same.

Another object is to facilitate the operation of bending the flangedsurfacing strip into the flnal U-shape,and obviate liability tosplitting or cracking of the flanges.

Another object is'to give increased strength and rigidity to thesurfacing and render the loop incompressible.

The invention consists in a hanger-strap or hand-hold having a facingstrip which preferably, though not necessarily in all cases, isappliedat the outer face of the strap, and preferably, also, with itsmarginal portions entered beneath the flanges of'the surfacing stripaforesaid, and thereby held in place. Also in a hanger-strap orhand-hold having a removable facing strip. Also, in means for securingthe facing strip against longitudinal movement, so as to preventaccidental displacement or intentional withdrawal except when suchsecuring means is disengaged. Also in a hanger-strap or hand-hold (ofthe construction which has been explained) in which the flanges areflattened around the main bend of the U in a manner which facilitatesthe bending and practically obviates the tendency of the flanges tosplit or crack.

Also, in a key by which the ends of the surfacing are united together,and prevented from relative longitudinal movement as well as from beingsprung laterally, and by means of which the loop is reinforced andstrengthened, and made rigid and incompressible.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichlatter,-

Fig. 1 shows in front elevation a hangerstrap or hand-hold embodying thefeatures of the invention, and a portion of the supporting-rod uponwhich the said hangerstrap or hand-hold is hung. .Fig. 2 shows thehanger-strap or hand-hold in side elevation, with the supporting-rod incross-section. Fig. .3 is a view in cross-section on lines 3, 3, of Fig.2. Fig. 4 is a view in cross-section on line 4, 4, of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 isa view in section in the plane indicated by the dotted line 5, 5, ofFig. 1. Fig. 6 is a front view of a portion of a hanger-strap orhand-hold, with parts broken away. Fig. 7 is an end view of the securingdevice to which reference will be made. Fig. 8 is a side elevation ofthe said securing device. Fig. 9, Sheet '2, is a front elevation of amodified construction of strap. Fig. 10, Sheet 2, is a view in sectionon line 10, 10, of Fig. 9.

Having reference to the drawings, and-first to Figs. 1 to 8,at 1 isshown a portion of the length of a horizontal bar or rod such as isemployed in a car for the support of the hanger-straps or hand-holds, itbeing shown as having applied thereto a hanger-strap or hand-hold of thesame general character and construction described and shown in thepatent aforesaid. At"2 is a length or strap, of leather, or othersuitable material, doubled upon itself, and with its end-portionsoverlapping, the said end-portions and the opposite side-portion beingsecured together by means of a fastening 3 which passes through allthree thereof. Fastening 3 is in the form of an ordinary clamping orscrewrivet,.adapt ed to be unscrewed when desired, to release theportions of leather or strap thereby secured together, or to be screwedup tightly again for the purpose of securing and clamping such portionsonce more. At 4 is the inclosing sheet-metal facing, and at. 41, 41, arethe side-portions or flanges thereof which are bent or turned over andtoward each other to inclose and clasp the side margins of the strap 2.These side portions or flanges preferably are bent in a circular curveso that they are nearly cylindrical, forming roll-like side-portions ofsuch diameter that the pendent lower loop of the hanger-strap or handhold may be grasped firmly by ones hand without discomfort. The freeedges of these flanges are inturned, as shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, soas to be concealed and shielded. Along both sides of the pendent loopthe cross-section is as represented in Fig. 3, the flanges having thecircular curvae ture in crosssection which is shown in such figure, Atthe bend or bight of the said loop, however, the free edges of theflanges are compressed against the overhung portions of the latter, andthe said portions are flat tened, as represented in Fig. 4, by beingseparated somewhat fromthe body of the surfacing strip 4. hen now theflanged surfacing strip is bent from its straight condition into U shapethe flattened flanges bend more readily than the circular curved flangesof Fig. 3, and without tendency to split or crack transversely. At 5 isthe facing strip which is applied to the outer surface of the strap 2.This facing strip extends around the pendent loop, with its marginalportions under the flanges 41, 41, and held in place by the latter. Itis composed of the desired material, and may be plain or ornamented.Celluloid or metal may be employed, for instance, and it may bearpictures or inscriptions. One important use of the facing strip is as abearer or carrier of advertising matter. It may be applied byslipping itendwise in between the flanges and the strap 2, and in like manner maybe removed by sliding it out from between them. Thus it may be replacedfrom time to time, as desired or necessary.

For the purpose of preventing the facing strip 5 from accidentallybecoming displaced, and from being withdrawn by mischievous persons, 1provide for securing it effectually in place by spreading apart the twoportions of the strap 2 which extend upwardly above the upper ends ofthe surfacing strip 4 of sheet metal, immediately above such ends. Thisis illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thereby it is renderedimpossible for either end of the facing strip 5 to rise or be pushedabove the corresponding end of the flanged surfacing strip 4. 1 effectthe spreading or separation by means of a spreader 6 which is shown inplace in Fig. 2 and separately in Figs. 7 and 8. The said spreader isformed with diverging wings 61, 61, and with an enlarged head comprisingin this instance opposite transversely extending ribs 62, 62, and anupwardly projecting tapered portion 63. The spreader is inserted betweenthe two meeting portions of the strap, and the wings are pushed downinto place within the upper ends of the flanged. surfacing strip 4,inside the said portions of the strap. Each wing is entered between thestrap and the bodyportion of the corresponding end of the surfacingstrip, so that the strap is outside the wing and between the latter andthe flanges 41, 41. The ribs 62, 62, cause the two portions of the strapto bulge outwardly just above the upper ends of the flanges, so thatthereby it is rendered impossible to move either end of the facing strip5 upward. The tapered upper portion 63 of the spreader permits the twomeeting portions of the strap to come-gradually into contact with each}other. After the fastening 3 has been applied and tightened up so as tobind the overlapping portions of the strap closely together immediatelyabove the top of the spreader, it operates to hold the spreader in placeby preventing upward movement of the same.

At 7, Figs. 5 and 6, is the key by which the ends of the surfacing areunited together and prevented from relative longitudinal and transversemovement, and by means of which the loop is reinforced and strengthened,and made rigid and incompressible. It is V shaped and made in thisinstance of sheetmetal bent into the required form. After the surfacingstrip has been bent into the form of the loop, and its free ends havebeen brought together, the key '7 is applied to such ends. The said keyfits over the said ends, so as to clasp the same, its wings entering,respectively, between the flanges of the respective ends of thesurfacing strip. The wings of the key are soldered or brazed, orotherwise secured, to the transverse portions of the surfacing stripbetween the flanges thereof, as for instance, by soldering or brazingthe wings to the said transverse portions. After being thus attached,the key prevents longitudinal movement of one side of the loop-shapedsurfacing relative to the other side, and prevents transverse springingof one side relative to the other. It renders the loop rigid andincompressible. The strap itself may be composed of any suitablematerial, as, for instance, either leather or woven webbing, and may beeither of the character and construction represented in Figs. 1 to 6, orotherwise, as deemed advisable.

Figs. 9 and 10 show the invention embodied in connection with a strap ofdifferent construction from that of the preceding figures. In thesefigures the upper loop 2 and lower or pendent loop 2 are formed ofdiffer ent or separate pieces of material, the meeting ends of suchpieces being joined to each other by means of fastenings 3' and 3 Thefree ends of the piece of which the lower or pendent loop is formed arebrought together, and the free ends of the piece of which the upper loopis formed are placed at opposite sides thereof, after which thefastenings are passed through holes in all four thicknesses. The lowerendsof the upper loop project down between the flanges 41, 41, of thesurfacing strip a short distance, and are notched to receive and fit theupper ends of such flanges, as represented in Fig. 9. The free ends ofthe facing strip extend upward under the said lower ends of the upperloop, and are covered and concealed thereby. One or both of thefastenings 3 and 3 may be util ized for the purpose of preventinglongitudinal movement of the facing strip. In the present instance thelower fastening, 3

is thus utilized. In this case the stem of such fastening passes throughholes in the ends of the facing strip. To provide for ready removal andreplacement of the facing strip, which is of most advantage when suchstrip bears advertisements that are to be changed or replaced from timeto time, the fastening 3 is a removable screw-fastening having asecuring nut 3 The other fastening, 3 is or may be a fixed or immovableone. The upper ends of the flanges 41, 41, are or may be pressed inward,as at 42, 42, in Fig. 1, to shield the edges thereof and prevent themfrom scratching or otherwise injuring the hands of a person throughcontact therewith.

What is claimed as the invention is 1. A hanger-strap or hand-holdhaving its depending loop furnished with a surfacing that covers theinner surface of such loop, the said surfacing having flanges whichclasp the marginal portions of the strap, and the said loop also havingapplied to the outer surface of the same a facing strip which is securedin place by engagement of the said flanges with its marginal portions.

2. A hanger-strap or hand-hold having its depending loop furnished witha surfacing that covers the inner surface of such loop and is formedwith lateral flanges which inclose the edges of the strap, and havingapplied to the outer surface of the loop a facing strip having itsmarginal portions entered beneath the said flanges, the said facingstrip being capable of endwise insertion and removal under the saidflanges.

3. A hanger-strap or hand-hold compris ing a strap having its dependingloop furnished with a surfacing that covers the inner surface of suchloop and is formed with lateral flanges which inclose the edges of thestrap, a facing strip applied to the outer surface of the loop withits'marginal portions entered under the said flanges, a spreader for themeeting portions of the strap above the ends of the surfacing, and afastening which holds such portions of the strap together beyond thespreader and thereby confines the latter in place.

4. A hanger-strap or hand-hold comprising a strap having its dependingloop furnished with a surfacing that covers the inner surface of suchloop and is formed with lateral flanges which inclose the edges of thestrap, a facing strip applied to the outer surface of the loop with itsmarginal portions entered under the said flanges, a spreader between themeeting portions of the strap above the ends of the surfacing and havingwings which enter under the strap within the flanges of the surfacing,and a fasteningwhich holds the meeting portions of the strap togetherbeyond the spreader and thereby confines the latter in place.

5. A hanger-strap or hand-hold having its &

depending loop furnished with a surfacing of sheet-material formed withcylindrical or roll-like flanges receiving the marginal portions of thestrap, and having such flanges flattened throughout the bend at thelower end of the loop to obviate cracking or splitting.

6. A hanger-strap or hand-hold comprising a strap having its dependingloop furnished with a surfacing that covers one surface of such loop andis formed with lateral flanges which inclose the edges of the strap, afacing strip applied to the other surface of the loop with its marginalportions entered under the said flanges, a spreader for the meetingportions of the strap above the ends of the surfacing, and means to holdthe portions of the strap together and confine the spreader in place.

7. A hanger-strap or hand-hold having its depending loop furnished witha surfacing that covers one surface of such loop, the said surfacinghaving flanges which clasp the marginal portions of the strap, and thesaid loop also having applied to the other surface of the same a stripwhich is secured in place marginal portions.

by engagement of the said flanges with its 8. A hangerstrap or hand-holdhaving its depending loop furnished with a non-absorbent surfacingcovering one surface of the loop, and a facing strip covering the othersurface of such loop.

9. A hanger-strap or hand-hold having its depending loop furnished witha non-absorbent surfacing, a removable facing strip covering one surfaceof such loop, and a detachable fastening for securing such facing stripin place.

10'. A hanger-strap or hand-hold having a surfacing strip bent into theform of an open loop, with its free ends brought close together andhaving the reinforce or key applied to the said free ends and fixedlysecuring them together.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. NEWTON, JR.

WVitnesses:

CHAS. F. RANDALL, EDITH J. ANDERSON.

